In a move set to reshape the hospitality industry’s approach to guest services, Plusgrade, known for ancillary revenue solutions, has acquired Oaky, a Dutch upselling platform. This acquisition merges two prominent players in the travel and hospitality technology sectors, aiming to introduce a comprehensive upselling platform benefiting hotels, airlines, and other travel entities. Traditionally, Oaky has focused on enhancing guest experiences by providing adaptable upselling tools to hotel chains, which align guest offers from pre-arrival to check-out. The acquisition represents a significant evolution in efforts to streamline and enhance revenue strategies across multiple fronts in the industry.
Plans to expand within the hospitality sector have been evident from Plusgrade’s past ventures. Previously, Plusgrade was primarily known for offering upgrades and seat selections in airlines, which marked its deep involvement in the travel sector. The integration with Oaky suggests an ambition to extend its revenue solutions approach to incorporate more ground-based travel solutions, broadening its business reach. This strategy enters familiar territory where airlines and hotels seek to generate more revenue streams fitting seamlessly into existing practices.
What Drives This Acquisition?
Oaky’s tools focus on tailoring hotel guests’ experiences by offering personalized options during their stay. The acquisition by Plusgrade allows merging Oaky’s hospitality-specific capabilities with Plusgrade’s extensive operations in travel revenue solutions. This development is anticipated to deliver a unified platform that enables more flexible service upgrades to a variety of travel operators, optimizing income opportunities globally. Plusgrade, having partnered with numerous brands, intends to leverage Oaky’s established presence in hotels to expand its ancillary revenue offerings.
How Will This Partnership Benefit Travelers?
Travelers can expect more streamlined and innovative upsell services through this merger. The integration will not only enhance value for hotel guests but also extend to varied travel experiences offered by Plusgrade. This strategic merger is designed to broaden customer opportunities and experiences by collaborating on new upsell pathways for revenue generation across the broader travel landscape. Such developments aim to create a cohesive and improved guest experience as the partnership pushes technological boundaries.
Both firms perceive this acquisition as more than just merging operations; it’s a chance to set a new norm for what upsell performance can achieve in hospitality. According to Ken Harris, Founder, and CEO of Plusgrade, this acquisition pairs a leader in hospitality software with an ancillary revenue giant.
“Oaky has been awarded the Best Upselling Software for five consecutive years. Now, the leader in hospitality upsell will be powered by a global leader in ancillary revenue.”
Oaky reaffirms that this merger embodies their vision’s global scale. With Plusgrade’s backing, Oaky seeks to provide unique guest experiences that deliver considerable value. Erik Tengen, co-founder and CEO of Oaky, noted,
“Oaky has built a leading reputation for helping hotels create upselling experiences that guests actually value.”
Oaky’s offering, now coupled with Plusgrade’s capabilities, aims to redefine synergy in service provision within travel by creating a platform that enhances guest satisfaction while driving revenue. This approach will likely influence how hotels and travel operators structure their service offerings and pricing models.
Plusgrade’s entry into the hospitality industry began in 2009 as a revenue-generation firm for airlines. Their expansion into hotels via Oaky marks a pivotal shift in their business strategy, addressing diverse sectors like cruises, rail, and loyalty programs. Operating across multiple global offices, the firm is poised to influence various facets of the travel industry significantly.
